Kenya police to hold Senate man over House bomb plot

Police have been given 10 days to hold a suspect arrested in connection with an alleged terror plot to bomb Parliament.

The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) told a Nairobi court that Mr Ali Abdulmajid Ahmed is believed to be an Al-Shabaab linkman on a mission to help the terrorist in “casing” Parliament buildings for a possible attack.

An affidavit presented before Milimani Law Courts magistrate Bernard Nzakyo stated intelligence reports had linked the suspect, an employee of Parliament, to questionable activities that needed time to unravel.

“A mobile phone belonging to the suspect is under analysis for any incriminating evidence,” police corporal Jackson Chacha said in the affidavit.

The suspect was arrested on April 26 in Pangani following intelligence report that he had been recruited by the Al-Shabaab to help carry out the plot, the court heard.

“The two situation reports dated April 23 and February 17 from Central Division Nairobi in regards to possible terrorist attack of vital government installations refers to the suspect,” the officer says in the sworn affidavit.

Mr Ahmed was not present in court when the application for his extended detention was made Tuesday. “The suspect may be charged with terrorism related offences if after investigators arrive at evidence to incriminate him,” said Mr Chacha.

Police said they intend to carry out extensive investigations which may necessitate travelling to Kitale and therefore need adequate time.

The suspect has been detained at the Kileleshwa Police Station.

“He is considered dangerous to the security of this country bearing in mind the mayhem terrorism has caused before,” the affidavit read.